Handle-bar stem.



FJL. WATTERS.

HANDLE BAR STEM. APPLICATION FILED SET. 1. 1915.

Patented July 10, 1917.

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FREDERICK I1. WATTERS, OF SHELBY, OHIO, A SSIGNOR TO CHICAGO HANDLE BARCOMPANY, OF SHELBY, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

HANDLE-BAR, STEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 10 191?.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. WAT- rnus, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Shelby, county of Richland, and State of Ohio,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Handle-Bar Stems, of whichthe following is a specification, the principle of the invention beingherein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthat principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to improvements in handle bars for bicycles and thelike, and has more particular regard to the construction of the handlebar stem proper. The object of the invention is the provision of a stemconstruction whereby the handle bar may be easily adjusted to anydesired position. Another object is to provide, a stem which will beinexpensive to manufacture and assemble and yet one which will be strongand durable. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully describedand particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain mecha nism embodying the invention, such dis closed meansconstituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing 2-- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly insection of my improved handle bar stem; Fig. 2 is a section taken online 2-2, Fig. land showing one of the members in elevation Fig. 3 is aplan view showingthe arrangement of the assembled handle bar stem; andFig. 4 is a perspective view showing one of the studs.

The present type of handle bar stems comprises a jointed handle barpost, having a lower member 1 which is designed to fit within thesteering post (not shown) of a bicycle frame and to be clamped thereinby a conical clamp member 2 which is drawn into its clamping position bya bolt 3, the head 4 of which extends above the end of the member 1, andthe lower end of which is threaded into the conical clamp member 2. Theother member 5 of the handle bar stem is provided at its outer end witha split clamping collar 6 adapted to embrace a handle bar (not shown)and maintain the same in position by means of a clamping bolt 7, as willbe readily understood.

Particular attention is called to the con struction of the joint betweenthe fixed post member 1 and the movable handle bar member 5. The member1 is provided with a preferably cylindrical headportion 8 which isdivided into three sections as shown. The inner section 9 has anaperture through which the clamping bolt 3 passes and also has atransverse aperture 11 therethrough. The two outer sections 10 havealined apertures 12 therein and notches 13 are provided. In theseapertures 12 looking studs 14,- are secured, the studs having lugs 15adapted to be received in the notches 13 to prevent rotation of thestuds. The studs are formed with holes 17 which aline with the aperture11 when the studs are in position. The inner faces 16 of the studs 14are serrated as best shown in Fig. 4.

The handle bar member has a U-shaped head 18, the two arms 19 of thelJ-portion being adapted to be received between the sections of the postmember 1. These arms 19 have alined apertures therein, the aperturesbeing formed to correspond with the apertures in the studs 14 and thetransverse aperture 11 in the section 9. The outer faces 20 of the twoarms are serrated and are adapted to contact with the serrations on thestuds.

A clamping bolt 21 is provided which passes through the apertures in thetwo members and the studs and by means of a nut 22 the two members canbe secured together in any desired position. This clamping bolt isprovided with a hole through which the bolt 3 can pass. When theclamping bolt 21 is locked the serrated faces of the studs and the armssecurely engage and hold the two members firmly in position.

{1s will be seen, it is a simple matter to adjust the angular relationbetween the two members, for as soon as the clamping bolt 21 is loosenedthe studs are free to move and be released from the serrations on thecylinder when the member may be moved into the desired relation andthere clamped.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed,pro-

vided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalentof such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention 1. In a jointed handle bar stem, the combination of a memberadapted to be secured to a steering post, and a member adapted to carrythe handle bar, said first member being provided with a branched headportion, the branches having alined apertures, studs adapted to benon-rotatably received in such apertures in such branches, said studshaving serrated faces, said second member being provided with a headreceived between such branches of the head portion of said first member,said second member having serrated outer faces adapted to engage withthe faces on said studs to maintain the two members inany desiredangular relation.

In a jointed handle bar stem the combination of a member adapted to besecured to a steering post, and a member adapted to carry the handlebar, said first member being provided with a cylindrical head portiondivided into three sections having alined apertures, studs havingserrated faces, adapted to be non-rotatably secured in such apertures insaid two outer sections, said second member being formed with a U-shaped portion, the two arms of the U- shaped portion being formed withserrated outer faces, and having alined apertures therein, said secondmember being adapted to be received between the sections of said firstmember, the serrated faces on said arms and said studs being adapted tocontact, and clamping means for holding said two members in any desiredposition.

3. In a jointed handle bar stem the combination of a member adapted tobe secured to a steering post, and a member adapted to carry the handlebar, said first member being provided with a cylindrical head portiondivided into three sections having alined apertures, apertured studshaving serrated faces adapted to be non-rotatably secured in suchapertures in said two outer sections, said second member being formedwith a U-shaped portion, the two arms of said U-shaped portion havingserrated outer faces and having alined apertures therein, said secondmember being adapted to be received between said sections of said firstmember, the ser ated faces on said studs and said arms being adapted toengage, and a clamping bolt passing through the apertures in said studsand said two members and adapted to clamp said two members in anydesired angular position.

Signed by me, this 30th day ofAugust 1915.

FREDERICK L. WVATTERS.

Attested by 2- D. T. DAVIES, THOS. H. FAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents ea ch,'byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

